Our Bureau
Hicksville, NY
India Home celebrated the grand opening of its first Senior Center in Hicksville, Long Island, marking a significant milestone in expanding culturally sensitive services for the region’s rapidly growing South Asian senior community.
The new center will provide seniors with opportunities for social engagement, health and wellness programs, educational workshops, cultural activities, recreation, and supportive services in a welcoming environment. The inauguration drew more than 200 attendees, including elected officials, community leaders, India Home and Association of Indians in America (AIA) members, donors, volunteers, and representatives of numerous community organizations.
Opening the ceremony, Mukund Mehta, President of the Board of Directors of India Home, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to improving the quality of life of South Asian seniors through compassionate care and meaningful programming. He thanked AIA National, Guru Krupa Foundation, The New York Community Trust, donors, volunteers, and supporters whose generosity made the center possible.
Among the featured speakers was Gobind Munjal, Immediate Past National President and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Indians in America (AIA). He described the opening of the Senior Center as the realization of a shared vision to provide Long Island seniors with friendship, dignity, purpose, and a strong sense of community.
Mr. Munjal noted that during his tenure as AIA National President (2022–2025), he worked closely with Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Founder and Executive Director of India Home, to address the growing need for a culturally appropriate senior center on Long Island. While India Home successfully operates six senior centers in Queens, along with affordable senior housing, home care services, and other programs, Long Island’s expanding South Asian senior population had long lacked a culturally responsive center to meet its unique needs.
Recognizing this need, the AIA National Executive Committee unanimously approved a $35,000 grant to help establish India Home’s first Senior Center on Long Island. During the ceremony, Mr. Munjal invited AIA Board of Trustees, current and past Presidents, and National Executive Committee members to join him in presenting a ceremonial check to India Home. The check was accepted by Dr. Kalasapudi and Mr. Mehta on behalf of the organization.
Mr. Munjal thanked the AIA Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, Life Members, donors, and supporters for their confidence in the project and congratulated India Home’s leadership, volunteers, sponsors, and donors for transforming a long-held vision into reality.
Mukund Padmanabhan of the Guru Krupa Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting programs that promote the health, dignity, independence, and well-being of senior citizens.
Assemblyman Charles Lavine congratulated India Home on opening the new center and praised the organization for creating an inclusive, culturally responsive environment that will benefit seniors across Long Island.
Dr. Kalasapudi expressed gratitude to the organization’s donors, volunteers, elected officials, community organizations, and principal supporters—especially AIA National, Guru Krupa Foundation, and The New York Community Trust—for helping make the center possible. She reaffirmed India Home’s mission of enabling seniors to age with dignity, independence, and purpose while remaining connected to their cultural heritage and community.
The Hicksville Senior Center will be open free of charge every Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a complimentary lunch served each program day. The celebration concluded with cultural performances and a sumptuous community luncheon.
Mr. Munjal also acknowledged the media coverage provided by News Channel 12 Long Island, Jus Broadcasting TV, South Asian Times, Indian Panorama, The Indian Eye, News India Times, India Abroad, Hum Hindustani, and South Asian Insider.
The opening of the Hicksville Senior Center represents another important milestone in India Home’s mission to enrich the lives of South Asian seniors through compassionate care, cultural understanding, and community collaboration. Supported by AIA National, Guru Krupa Foundation, The New York Community Trust, and numerous community partners, the center will serve as a lasting investment in the health and well-being of Long Island’s senior community.
